Lunar spares

[hbarnett]

Since the demise of Brownhills as it was, I looks like I have to fix up my Lunar Champ myself. Please can someone advise me where I can obtain a rail and catch system which holds the dinette/bed table assemblies to replace the factory fitted one. The original (from new) is completely useless. The tables move uncontrolably when on the road and as for making them into beds, forget it. The first time I used them our friends ended up on the floor because it collapsed.

Also what are the most suitable type of screws to secure the kitchen units to the wall? I have seen the plastic 'velcro' discs on recent models. My stick on ones have all fell off so would love to fit this type if they are available.

I have tons more work to do but this should at least get me operational again.

 

Best regards,

 

Howie.

[Brian Kirby]

Howard

Is your van still under warranty?  You don't say.  However, I was under the impression that the new Brownhills had issued a statement saying they would honour existing warranty etc commitments.  So, if the 'van is still within warranty, contact Bh and see what they say.  If they quibble, go direct to Lunar since the warranty is given by the manufacturer and not the dealer, and ask them who will now carry out the necessary repairs under their warranty.

Re screwing kitchen units to the wall: why?  Have the existing units come loose?  Is this another warranty issue?  You have to be careful of two things.  First, that there is some reinforcement in the wall to take the screws and second that the screws are not so long as to penetrate the external skin.  Something like twinfast chipboard screws seem to be what has been used on ours.  They seem to have adequate hold to keep the high level cupboards in place.

I assume the plastic Velcro discs are not an alternative to screws, that you want to use to reinforce the kitchen unit fixings or something else?  However, surely these are themselves only stuck on?

[hbarnett]

Hi Brian,

 

these and many other problems have been present since I bought the vehicle new from Newark. I went off on one on here when they refused to effect any of the repairs back in 2006. I have not been able to use my motorhome since. In the end I had no choice but to employ the services of a solicitor therefore I'm not on friendly terms.

 

This thread is not another go at Brownhills. no point, they don't exist any more. Lunar don't want to know either. I have to resolve all the faults myself but don't know where to turn with regards to obtaining the parts that I need and advice re: fasteners etc.

 

The kitchen as a whole was not secured to the wall when manufactured. The wall moves due to expansion during hot weather. The brackets have been fitted to the units but not affixed to the wall!

 

The plastic discs I mentioned are screwed to the panels where seat backs etc. are held in place. The original self adhesive ones don't remain in place.

 

Improved table rails and clamps and the kitchen wall/units jobs when sorted will at least make the vehicle safe to use. The other issues can be addressed as and when I can afford it.

 

Howie.

 

 

[Derek Uzzell]

One of the potential problems of maintaining/repairing a Champ is that this range of motorhomes was built by Lunar's Belgium arm (rather than at the UK factory) and the Continental part of Lunar went financially bust a while back. Champs differ from their UK-built Lunar siblings - for example, the body-panels' skin is in AluFiber not straight aluminium or GRP - so it may well have been less easy to obtain parts (and to deal with warranty work) even when Howie's motorhome was new.

 

Brian will know that the leisure-vehicle accessory catalogues available free from most French motorhome/caravan dealerships offer a bewildering array of DIY bits-and-bobs. Such publications don't seem to be as readily obtainable in the UK though, but John Wickersham's "Build your own Motorcaravan" book does include a "Tracking Down Materials" chapter that lists several web-based suppliers and catalogue producers. Even if you have absolutely no intention to self-build, JW's book is likely to prove helpful if you are faced by quite minor DIY tasks.

[hbarnett]

I thank you Derek, will try to obtain a copy. It will raise my awareness with regards to build techniques thus greatly help me to effect a high quality repair. Looking forward to the work actually.

 

Thanks again.

 

Howie.

[Mel B]

Try O'Leary's, they do a postal service and can probably find alternative products to your originals and also advise on the best way to fix your cupboards to the wall seeing as they build motorhomes as well.

 

www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk